Rebecca didn't have the best relationship with her mom. She was the youngest of 8 girls and left home at 17 1/2 to join the Air Force. Later in life, her mom was diagnosed with Leukemia, and Rebecca was her primary caregiver and advocate during her 2 year journey with the disease. Rebecca shares raw and personal stories about how she missed feeling loved by her mom, and how that has affected her even more since her mom's death. 

In the podcast, Rebecca talks about the photo taking tradition she and her mom had during treatments and hospital stays. You can find the YouTube video here. Please note there is a mistake in the graphic on the video. Where it says 2017, it should read 2015. That was the start of their journey that ended in 2017.

Rebecca's Takeaway: You are loved. You are worthy. You can be okay, and then not okay, on your grief journey. It is important to recognize and feel your feelings, and give yourself the love that you didn't get.

Please join us for a free DWOM Mother's Day Circle event on May 4th at 7 pm EST. Click here to register. 

Please visit my website www.yourgriefjourney.com for my information and blogs.

Lori's mom was only 42 when she died. This does not stop her mother from having a profound effect on Lori's life, as well as her brother's and all of the communities in which her mom lived. Lori learned life long lessons from her mother's example and is continuing to share the legacy of her mother with others. 

By the grace of the divine, and the influence of her mother and father, Lori Brown Mirabal, Ed.D. is a professional opera singer. Throughout her award-winning singing career Lori Brown Mirabal has worked with legendary opera and music theatre luminaries in international opera houses and on Broadway. 

Along with her performing career, Lori has created an opera production company, Opera Soup Productions, LLC that introduces young audiences to opera in engaging and meaningful ways.  Her first children’s book, “From Soul Singing to Opera Soup,” launches her career as a published author. 

You can find everything about Lori on her website: www.loribrownmirabal.com

Lori's take-away that she would like to share with others: You do you. Think about your own grief timeline. Don't listen to other people's expectations for your grief. You do your grief in the way that works for you.

Please visit my website www.yourgriefjourney.com for my information and blogs.

Patricia, like me, lost her mom to pancreatic cancer. Patricia spent a lot of time with her mom during her cancer journey, and was the first person the oncologist told when there were no more treatment options left. A few months after losing her mom, the country went into lockdown, and Patricia found a lot of support in the online grief community.

Patricia's takeaway: Listen to yourself if you need to pause. Reaching out to others for support is important. You will feel lonely, and you can't expect family and friends to understand what you are going through. 

You can find Patricia on Instagram at Neshama Journey. She has recorded over 50 live interviews on life and loss, and you can see them there! Check out my live interview with Patricia that was recorded on March 15. You can also find Patricia on Clubhouse. Her club, Permission to Grieve, meets on Wednesday's at 6 pm EST.

More details on our Mother's Day event will be shared soon! In the meantime, please click here to sign up to receive a free, personalized postcard on Mother's Day.

Please visit my website www.yourgriefjourney.com for my information and blogs.

Wendy, like me, is the last living person in her family. She lost her brother and sister, her mom and dad. Her mom passed within days of Wendy's 3rd son being born, and Wendy was unable to go to the funeral. She still feels difficult emotions about the relationship with her mom and is "shoulding" all over herself about the things she should have done.

Wendy's takeaway: Learn how to practice self-forgiveness. It is the only thing that makes it possible to heal and move forward with all of the things you "should have" or "could have" done. Remember, the turtle always wins! Baby steps are still progress.

Wendy is a college administrator and has been in the higher education field for over 20 years. She is also a college coach for students and their families. She will collaborate with you on the college application, college essay, financial aid, scholarships and more. She can help step of the way and make this process easier for you. You can find her on Facebook at the Caffeinated College Coach, on Instagram at caffeinated_coffee_coach and via email at [email protected]. 

Please click here to sign up to receive a free postcard on Mother's Day. You are not alone. 

Please visit my website www.yourgriefjourney.com for my information and blogs. Thanks for listening!

Nadine just lost her mom in September of 2020. She was diagnosed with stage 4 lung, bone and breast cancer just 3 weeks after Nadine's 2019 wedding. Nadine was put in charge as the "strong one" during her mom's 50-week cancer journey. Nadine has since found that humor helps her express her grief, and she has started making memes about her mom's death on Instagram at @varsitygriefsquad. 

Nadine also shared about The Dinner Party, a national young adult bereavement group, and recommends the book Dancing at the Pity Party, by Tyler Feder. 

Nadine's take-away: There is always someone that is out there feeling the same thing that you are. It's so hard to find your community, especially during the pandemic, but there are always people going through the same things that you are going through. Support is crucial - please make sure to reach out.

Please visit my website www.yourgriefjourney.com for my information and blogs.  

Danielle lost the mom that she knew when her mom had a stroke, and then 9 months later when she had a second stroke that took her life. She shares how her mom was a mom to so many, and how she had endless love and energy for everyone. Danielle is adjusting to what life looks without her, especially as she prepares for her upcoming summer wedding.

Danielle's takeaway: "It doesn't get easier, you get to know yourself better."

Please visit my website www.yourgriefjourney.com for my information and blogs.

Maria is the 2nd 25 year old daughter without a mom that I've interviewed, and again, I'm so impressed with the maturity and emotional awareness she has! Maria lost her mom when she was 9 years old, to Lupus and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Maria is an only child, and became very attached to her dad and grandmother after the death of her mom.

Maria shared about the Safe Harbor program, a program offered at their local hospital, that both she and her dad participated in. It sounds amazing!

Please visit my website www.yourgriefjourney.com for my information and blogs. 

Sarah lost her mom when she was 9, and then lost her step-mom when she was 22. She recently became a mom herself, and realized how becoming a mom shifted a lot of her thoughts and feelings. She is sharing what she's learned and other tips, tricks and advice in an online community where all new moms are welcome: Entering Motherhood. 

Website: www.enteringmotherhood.com

Instagram: @entering_motherhood and @sarah_marie_bilger

You can find her podcast on your favorite platform.

Sarah's takeaway: Don't feel ashamed or afraid. There are lots of people who feel this way too. Be vulnerable - maybe when you unfold it will open up a whole new conversation.

Please visit my website www.yourgriefjourney.com for my information and blogs. 

Kelsey lost her mom after a 15-year battle with 2 different types of cancer. She loves to learn in "bite-size" portions, and started an Instagram account to share the journey with others. You can find her at @_kelseylifeafterloss on Instagram. 

Kelsey's takeaway: Loss is a universally shared experience and it should be something that is more comfortable to talk about. Lean into being uncomfortable.

Please visit my website www.yourgriefjourney.com for my information and blogs.